Introduction
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program was launched by the Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) in 2010 to provide public health training to the Bahá'ís in Iran who wish to serve their country in this capacity but who have been denied the right of higher education in Iran. In addition, the principles, underlying concepts, and methods of the BIHE MPH program differ from what is available through traditional public health programs. BIHE recognizes that public health sciences and practices are essential aspects of sustained development and prosperity for all human societies.
The MPH program endeavors to promote a new discourse for public health that embraces the dual material and spiritual reality of human beings. Core concepts of this discourse include excellence in knowledge and practice, the necessity for purity of intent in each action, science and religion as the two fundamental sources of knowledge for humanity, the critical roles of justice and equity in addressing needs of individuals and communities, the need to empower and enable individuals and communities, and the active participation of stakeholders with communities at the forefront of the process.
Vision
The MPH program aims to help BIHE evolve into a university that emphasizes the complementary roles of human beings’ spiritual and material natures in advancing global civilization.
MPH faculty and students seek to render service to their homeland and to contribute to a renewal of civilization. They strive to be well acquainted with the highest level of moral and professional values, to be knowledgeable in their fields, and to be grounded in action based on the identification and analysis of public health needs in Iran. To fulfil its goal as a program that dedicates its efforts to the improvement of the health of the population, the MPH program seeks to promote a process of generation, diffusion, and application of knowledge. In this endeavor, it is aware that the application of knowledge for the purpose of transforming complex social realities requires the generation of new knowledge through dynamic and effective research and the participation of an ever-greater diversity of minds. A related imperative for all efforts geared toward the betterment of the world is required.
Mission
The aim of the MPH program is to equip students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills that enable them to effectively contribute to the promotion of health in societies and to the sustained development of communities. The program seeks to meet the latest educational standards of reputable MPH programs around the world and at the same time endeavors to create a new conceptual framework for public health based on both material and spiritual principles. The MPH collaborators, including faculty, students, communities, among others, collaborate closely as a learning team who support and accompany each other in their efforts.
Goals and Objectives
The BIHE MPH program has two broad goals. These are to:
- train individuals to achieve excellence in research and other skills that contribute to the health of their communities through understanding the nature of society and identifying the forces operating within it; translating a vision of progress into projects and distinct, interconnected lines of action; managing financial resources, and interacting with both governmental and non-governmental agencies.
- contribute to the institutional capability of BIHE to generate, apply, and disseminate knowledge that promotes the health of individuals, families, and communities.
Graduates will become agents of health promotion in their communities, contribute to the social and economic development of Iran, and can have the opportunity to work in health-related NGOs, private health research institutes, and international organizations. They acquire capabilities that incorporate knowledge, skills, qualities, and attitudes that will help them in their future work.
Admission Requirements
The MPH program is open to any student with an undergraduate degree. An official transcript from each college or university attended is required. The grade point average (GPA) for the applicant’s completed undergraduate / bachelor’s degree should be a minimum of a “B” or 14/20 (70/100).
Applicants apply online using an application form that collects personal data as well as a 500-word essay in English that outlines why the candidate would like to pursue this program and summarizes personal background that is relevant to their application. All applicants should provide two letters of recommendation from referees who are not family members or friends and who have worked closely with the applicant in the academic or work environments, ideally with some research component. The referees should be familiar with the applicant’s work habits, motivation, and ability to work creatively and independently.
The applicants are required to present proof of English proficiency at the level of the "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS) 6.0 in each of writing, reading, comprehension & expression. This can be assessed by an IELTS, the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) or equivalent. At present, the course can admit a maximum number of 10 students.
All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
Eligible applicants will be invited for an interview.
At present, the program can admit a maximum number of 15 students.
Curriculum
The BIHE MPH program is a 2.5-year, 40-credit program with the final semester being dedicated to a research project. Each semester consists of 19 weeks of teaching. Each credit hour is equivalent to 17 hours of teaching. The courses consist of lectures, assignments, group projects, essays, and formal examinations.
Students are required to take all below courses within 4 semesters:
- STA5117: Biostatistics (Basic) (2 Credit Hours)
- BIO5108: Concepts of Health (2 Credit Hours)
- BIO5109: Fundamentals of Epidemiology (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5114: Maternal and Child Health with Introduction to Nutrition (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5136: Bahá’í Concept of Socio-Economic Development (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5118: Behavioral Sciences and Health Education (Community Health Needs Assessment, Program Planning and Evaluation) (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5115: Principles of Control of Infectious Diseases (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5117: Research Methodology in Health Sciences (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5118: Biostatistics (Advanced) 2 Credit Hours)
- BIO5116: Environmental and Occupational Health (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5124: Optimizing Human Development from Conception to Adolescence (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5127: Final Research Project (6 Credit Hours)
- BIO5133: Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Prevention (3 Credit Hours)
- BIO5134: Health Administration (1 Credit Hour)